India appointed rocket scientist V. Narayanan as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the government said on Tuesday, a key role as India works to become a space superpower.

Born in 1964 in Melakattu village Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari District, Narayanan completed his early schooling in his hometown. He earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) and an Associate Membership in Mechanical Engineering from the Institution of Engineers (AMIE).

Dr. V. Narayanan is appointed as the new ISRO Chairman, effective January 14, 2025, succeeding S. Somanath. With a strong background in mechanical and cryogenic engineering, Narayanan has played significant roles in various space missions,

Dr V. Narayanan, a distinguished rocket propulsion expert, will take over as ISRO Chairperson on January 14, 2025, succeeding Dr S. Somanath. With a career spanning four decades, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in developing India’s cryogenic engine technology and leading landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3.

Renowned Indian rocket propulsion expert and aerospace engineer Dr. V. Narayanan has been appointed the next chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He holds experience in cryogenic propulsion systems and is mostly recognised for his noteworthy contributions to Indian space missions.

Narayanan, currently head of an ISRO centre called Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), is set to succeed S. Somanath on 14 January & will be in office for next 2 years.